No. 2.
Mr. McLane to Mr. Bayard.
Legation of the United States,
Paris, October 22,
1887. (Received November 11.)
No. 490.]
Sir: Referring to your No. 256, of August 19,
instructing Mr. Vignaud to draw the attention of the French Government
to the necessity of taking steps for the better protection of the
fur-seal fisheries in Behring Sea with a view of obtaining its
co-operation with the United States in measures intended to reach that
end, I have to state that Mr. Flourens [Page 1825] is willing to consider favorably any project of
international arrangement you may be disposed to submit concerning the
matter.
I inclose herewith a translation of a note received from Mr. Flourens
which explains his view. The note of September 17, to which he refers,
is simply an acknowledgment.
I have, etc.,
[Inclosure with No.
490.—Translation.]
Mr. Flourens to
Mr. McLane.
Sir: Mr. Vignaud was good enough to inform
me on the 31st of August last that the United States Government was
desirous of consulting with the principal nations interested, with
the view of making regulations in regard to the seal fisheries in
Behring Strait.
Referring to my communication of the 17th September last, I have the
honor to inform you that, although the industry in question has not
been engaged in by French ship-owners up to the present time, the
Government of the Republic is not the less disposed to confer for
that purpose with the Government of the United States and to examine
any draught of an international convention which may be communicated
to it by the Cabinet at Washington.
I will be obliged to you if you will be kind enough to transmit this
reply to the American Government.
Accept, etc.,
